Paul Onuachu is a very good number nine – Patrick Pascal

Former Nigeria international Patrick Pascal has explained why the Super Eagles forward Paul Onuachu is having a great season with Trabzonspor.

The towering Nigerian forward has so far scored 18 goals in 21 appearances in the Turkish Super Lig. Onuachu has won league titles in Denmark and Belgium, and while in the latter country was voted Belgian Footballer of the Year and won the country’s top scoring Golden Bull trophy.

⚽ GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAL!!! #PAULONUACHU

⏱ 83’ RAMS Başakşehir 2-3 Trabzonspor https://t.co/SSE3aKpGJx

— Trabzonspor English (@TrabzonsporEN) March 3, 2026

‘His attitude toward teammates is excellent’

He was among the goal on Tuesday as Trabzonspor defeated İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. 4-2 in a Turkish Cup fixture.

“Paul Onuachu is a very good number nine. He’s doing well in the Turkish league with Trabzonspor and having a strong season, scoring most of their goals and even providing assists. In the national team, he bonds well with everyone,” Pascal told Footy Africa.

“His attitude toward teammates is excellent, and he’s a true professional. I’ve never seen him have problems with anyone in camp. So I’m not surprised by how well he’s performing at Trabzonspor.

“Sometimes in football, changing clubs doesn’t always mean a player will continue performing at their best. A player can move somewhere new and struggle, then go elsewhere and rediscover form. It depends on the coach, the environment, and many other factors.

“Take Mohamed Salah for example. When he was at Chelsea F.C. under José Mourinho, he didn’t perform at his best.

“But after moving and eventually joining Liverpool F.C., he became one of the best attackers in the world. Environment matters a lot.”

Onuachu scored his first goal for Nigeria in a friendly match against Egypt. The goal was scored within the first ten seconds of the game, and the fastest ever scored for Nigeria.

Paul Onuachu’s Impact at Trabzonspor

The performances of Paul Onuachu this season have made him one of the most important players in the Trabzonspor squad. His ability to score crucial goals and influence matches has played a key role in the club’s strong attacking displays throughout the campaign.

Standing at over two meters tall, the Nigerian striker brings a unique physical presence to the team’s forward line. His height and strength make him extremely dangerous in aerial duels, particularly during set pieces and crosses into the penalty area.

Trabzonspor have taken advantage of this strength by frequently delivering balls into the box, allowing the striker to use his positioning and finishing ability to trouble defenders.

In addition to his goal-scoring ability, the Nigerian forward has also contributed with assists and link-up play, showing that he is more than just a traditional target man.

Experience Across European Leagues

Before arriving in Turkey, Paul Onuachu built a strong reputation in European football during his time in Denmark and Belgium.

While playing for FC Midtjylland in Denmark, he developed his reputation as a prolific striker capable of scoring regularly in domestic competitions. His performances helped the club secure major successes and established him as one of the most promising Nigerian forwards playing in Europe at the time.

However, it was during his spell with Belgian club KRC Genk that the striker truly reached another level.

During the 2020–21 season, Onuachu enjoyed an extraordinary campaign, finishing as the league’s top scorer and earning the prestigious Belgian Golden Bull award for the best player in the league.

Those achievements further strengthened his reputation as one of Africa’s most reliable goal scorers in European football.

Role with the Nigerian National Team

Although club football has been the stage where Paul Onuachu has achieved most of his success, the striker also remains an important member of the Nigerian national team setup.

His memorable first goal for Nigeria against Egypt demonstrated his ability to make an instant impact on the international stage.

Scoring within seconds of the kickoff, the goal remains one of the fastest ever scored for the Super Eagles and immediately placed the striker in the spotlight.

Since then, he has continued to represent Nigeria in various competitions and international fixtures, competing with several other talented forwards for a regular starting position in the squad.

With Nigeria constantly searching for a reliable goal scorer, Onuachu’s club performances could increase his chances of playing a bigger role for the national team in the future.

Looking Ahead for Onuachu

With his impressive form in the Turkish Super Lig, Paul Onuachu continues to attract attention from clubs across Europe.

Strikers who consistently score goals are always in demand, and if the Nigerian forward maintains his current level of performance, he could become one of the most talked-about African attackers in the upcoming transfer windows.

For now, his primary focus remains helping Trabzonspor achieve success in both domestic and cup competitions.

If he continues scoring at the same rate, Paul Onuachu could finish the season as one of the top scorers in the Turkish league while further strengthening his reputation as one of Africa’s most effective number nine strikers.